hold expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold expectations" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing the idea of having expectations or anticipation towards something. For example, you can say: "We held high expectations for the new product launch, but unfortunately it wasn't as successful as we had hoped."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But the paper could have done more to hold expectations in check.

The New York Times

While universities hold expectations that new colleagues demonstrate high levels of expertise, many recently graduated PhDs are under-prepared for their teaching roles.

Studies in Educational Evaluation

We all hold expectations.

Huffington Post

Here's the critical piece, while I do not hold expectations of your behavior on your personal journey, I do honor my personal expectations, standards of conduct if you will, of those close to me.

Huffington Post

Canadian politicians do not need to share their own personal beliefs as they run for office, nor do the public hold expectations that their religion directly reflects political values.

Huffington Post

The salient features of the present study include its prospective nature, its relatively large sample size, its examination of different domains for which the patient may hold expectations, and its multivariable approach to the analysis.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Parenthood holds expectations that your child with a disability can never fulfill.

The Guardian - Opinion

Women are particularly prone to holding expectations of what a woman should be and comparing to others.

The Guardian

An important step in making a decision is to note the differences between commonly held expectations and the realities of legal practice.

Cornell University

It may feel awkward, but by resetting these boundaries leaders send clear signals about your desire for a trusting relationship, and avoids disappointing others' privately held expectations.

Harvard Business Review

Ms. Clarke denied the company was struggling or for sale, and said it was a young company in its testing phase, already performing to its own goals, and still held expectations of future success.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold expectations" when you want to convey the idea of maintaining a belief or anticipation about a future event or outcome. Ensure the context clearly indicates who is holding the expectations and what those expectations are.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences with "expectations are held," which can sound awkward. Instead, focus on who is doing the holding: "Stakeholders hold high expectations" is more direct and impactful than "High expectations are held by stakeholders."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold expectations" functions as a verb phrase, where "hold" acts as the main verb and "expectations" is the direct object. It describes the act of possessing or maintaining particular beliefs about future outcomes. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold expectations" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys the act of maintaining beliefs or anticipation about future events. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is most frequently used in neutral contexts, such as News & Media and Scientific writing, making it versatile for various forms of communication. Alternatives include "have expectations" or "maintain expectations", offering slight variations in meaning. When using this phrase, ensure that you are clear about who is holding the expectations and what those expectations entail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have expectations

Simply replaces "hold" with "have" maintaining the same meaning with a slightly different verb.

maintain expectations

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of having expectations, suggesting a sustained viewpoint.

harbor expectations

Implies a more internal and personal holding of expectations, suggesting they are cherished or nurtured.

foster expectations

Highlights the act of encouraging or promoting certain expectations in oneself or others.

entertain expectations

Suggests considering or allowing oneself to believe in certain expectations, often with a sense of amusement or speculation.

cherish expectations

Emphasizes the value and importance placed on the expectations one holds, suggesting a strong emotional connection.

nurture expectations

Highlights the process of developing and maintaining expectations over time, suggesting a proactive approach.

cultivate expectations

Implies a deliberate and intentional effort to create and refine one's expectations, suggesting a more strategic approach.

nurse expectations

Suggests a careful and attentive approach to managing and protecting one's expectations, often in the face of uncertainty or challenge.

believe in something

Focuses on believing in or having faith in a positive outcome or possibility, rather than specifically holding expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "hold expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "hold expectations" to describe having anticipation about a future event, such as: "The team "hold high expectations" for the upcoming tournament" or "Investors "hold certain expectations" about the company's performance".

What are some alternatives to "hold expectations"?

Alternatives include "have expectations", "maintain expectations", or "harbor expectations", each carrying slightly different nuances in meaning.

Is it better to "hold high expectations" or "have high hopes"?

Both phrases convey optimism, but ""hold high expectations"" suggests a more reasoned anticipation, whereas "have high hopes" implies a stronger emotional desire for a positive outcome.

What does it mean to "hold realistic expectations"?

To "hold realistic expectations" means to have anticipations that are grounded in the actual possibilities of a situation, rather than being overly optimistic or pessimistic. This approach is often more practical and leads to less disappointment.